Home / First aid

Emergency blanket: how space blankets work and when to use one

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-15.

We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.

Quick answerAn emergency blanket, often called a space or Mylar blanket, is a thin reflective sheet that bounces body heat back to you. SOL says its blankets and bivvies reflect 90% of body heat and are waterproof. The American Red Cross lists one emergency blanket in a family first aid kit. For someone who may have hypothermia, the CDC says to move them somewhere warm, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body, then wrap them in a dry blanket including the head and neck, and get medical care.
Our picks at a glance

Compare the picks and what to watch out for

What an emergency blanket is

Emergency blankets are thin sheets with a reflective metal coating. SOL describes its basic Emergency Blanket as 90% heat-reflective, made from vacuum-metalized polyethylene that resists rips and tears so it will not shred if nicked or punctured. It is waterproof, quiet in wind, and high-visibility orange so rescuers can spot you.

A bivvy is the same idea shaped into a sleeping sack. SOL says its Emergency Bivvy weighs less than 4 oz., is smaller than a soda can, reflects 90% of body heat and is sealed against wind, rain and snow.

Blanket, heavy duty or bivvy

TypeSOL exampleMaker notes
Basic blanketEmergency Blanket90% heat-reflective, waterproof, high-visibility orange
Heavy duty blanketHeavy Duty Emergency BlanketWindproof and waterproof; also a shelter, ground tarp or gear cover
Bivvy sackEmergency Bivvy with Rescue WhistleUnder 4 oz., sealed against wind and rain, includes a whistle

Details are from SOL's product pages. SOL says its Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket is designed as an all-purpose blanket that can serve as a survival shelter, tent ground tarp, gear cover or load hauler, and that the basic blanket resists shredding if nicked or punctured. A bivvy is a sealed sack you climb into, and SOL sells an XL bivvy for more room or two people.

Hypothermia signs

The CDC lists warning signs of hypothermia in adults: shivering, exhaustion or feeling very tired, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. In babies, look for bright red, cold skin and very low energy.

If a person's temperature is below 95 degrees, the CDC says to get medical attention immediately. Hypothermia can happen even above 40 degrees Fahrenheit if a person is wet and chilled.

How to use an emergency blanket for warmth

If medical help is not available right away, the CDC's steps are:

An emergency blanket can serve as one of those dry layers or as an outer wrap to hold warmth in and keep wind and rain out.

Severe hypothermia

The CDC says a person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may seem to have no pulse or breathing. Handle them gently and get emergency help immediately. Start CPR even if the person appears dead, keep warming them, and continue until the person responds or medical aid arrives. A first aid and CPR class teaches these skills; a first aid kit should hold an emergency blanket, as the Red Cross list includes.

Emergency blanket vs fire blanket

Search results for emergency blankets also show fire blankets for kitchens. Those are a different product, made to smother small fires, not to keep a person warm; SOL itself sells a separate Emergency Fire Blanket. Read the product name carefully when you buy.

For car and home emergency kits, Ready.gov lists a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person among additional supplies. See our travel first aid kit guide for trips.

Ready.gov also suggests preparing supplies for home, work and cars, since you do not know where you will be when an emergency happens, and rethinking your kit every year as needs change. A folded emergency blanket takes little space in a glove box or day pack.

What to look for when you buy

SOL Emergency Blanket

Best for: Car, backpack and first aid kits

SOL lists 90% heat reflection, rip resistance, waterproofing and high-visibility orange.

Watch out: A blanket alone does not replace getting the person somewhere warm.

See options on Amazon

SOL Emergency Bivvy with Rescue Whistle

Best for: Hiking and camping

SOL says it weighs under 4 oz., is sealed against wind, rain and snow, and includes a whistle.

Watch out: Single-person size; SOL sells an XL for more room.

See options on Amazon

Mylar thermal blanket multi-pack

Best for: Stocking several kits

Multi-packs put a reflective blanket in every kit, matching the Red Cross list.

Watch out: Check the unfolded size on the package; do not confuse with fire blankets.

See options on Amazon
When to talk to a doctor: Get emergency help immediately for suspected severe hypothermia or a body temperature below 95 degrees. Start CPR if the person is not breathing.

Questions people ask

Do emergency blankets really work?
They reflect body heat; SOL says its blankets reflect 90% of body heat, and they block wind and rain.
Which side of a space blanket faces in?
Follow the directions printed on the package for the blanket you buy.
What are signs of hypothermia?
Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness, per the CDC.
Is an emergency blanket the same as a fire blanket?
No. Fire blankets smother small fires; emergency blankets keep a person warm.
Should I give warm drinks for hypothermia?
The CDC says warm drinks but not alcohol, and nothing to an unconscious person.

Sources

Sources checked 2026-10-15.

Related guides